I was going to continue down a tangent, threadjacking a guitar topic thread,
but for so, for so, why? And instead I’ll open this tare as a catch pan for the pieces of miscellaneous debris that aren’t within instrumental topic elsewhere, or not or maybe not, but probably not, and for so, for so, why?
You can’t unread this.
My uncle has put together an eclectic workshop over the years that addresses every detail of the banjo craft with a jig, a tool, and a template. I’ve abbreviated a few pictures below to illustrate the process.
Minus 432 other steps, that’s building a banjo. The neck is probably the most intensive feature because of how gradual the shaping process is, however the pot is fairly straightforward; the maple ply was a pre-made tube that only needed to be sawed and sanded to length, drilled, painted, and laced with hardware.
On the topic of making instruments, i’m going to be making a Hank drum soon. It’s nowhere near as professional a job as yours is, but it makes a great sound.
Q: How can you tell if there’s a banjo player at your door? They can’t find the key and they don’t know when to come in.
To answer a question:
More plunk, less twang. I’ll post a few notes once I can start grabbing audio on my laptop again. For those of you observing my posting patterns, M-F between 8am and 5pm…
I have to say that this banjo was more akin to an apprenticing project and without the family expertise, I probably would have ended up making a beer can or cigar box banjo (I’ll give you a moment to conceptualize those sounds). However, I would recommend for anyone interested in the craft to spend some time with a blank neck; it’s a satisfying, accessible detail even if you have trouble fitting strings on an instrument.
For the record, the difference between a banjo and an accordion is that a banjo burns longer-- I think this is because of the finish used on the banjo’s wooden parts.
Sure, it’s a Miscellaneous thread: cultural observations, philosophies, instruments, whatever appendages are attached to your brain.
As far as I know, people all over the world have music and it’s almost a confluence of evolutionary traits that we can all find tones interesting or endearing irregardless of their origins. Noise and communication is thus transcendent. Does that give music objectivity?
Mildly musical family.
Mom played the piano and gave some lessons as well.
Dad played a bit, mostly an old Yamaha electric organ. Brother and one sister sang in various choirs and vocal ensembles over the years.
I took piano lessons while at school, tried to teach myself the guitar.
Got into the djembe and the didgeridoo during my hippie days and am currently learning to play the bagpipes.
(In case you missed it….)
